Electric relay



Sept. 1-4, 1948. O 1. PRICE 2,449,086

ELECTRIC RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. '7, 1947 800 a? T 6 E I 4/6 xzv'vslvrok 3 O/oXw Z Vw 6, 822W Wffim O. I. PRICE ELECTRIC RELAY Sept, 14, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 7, 1947 2 0 7M m 2 7a m y r 7 M u m N W N 6 n ......v. a w m "W 4 r m & M a M 1 W4" A 7 u n W &I 4 0 O Patented Sept. 14, 1948 UNITED ST TES PATENT orrics xuic'rmc may Osborne 1. Price, Frederick, Md. Application January '1, 1941, Serial No. 120,551

9 Claims.

M invention relates broadly to electric relays and more particularly to an improved construction oi electromagnetic relay capable of reliable operation even under conditions of substantial shock vibration.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved construction of electroma netic relay formed from a minimum number of parts capable of assembly by relatively unskilled labor for producing a substantially shock-proof electromagnetic relay.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of electromagnetic relay in which the movable armature of the relay may be assembled with respect to the magnetic frame structure of the relay by a two part clamp arrangement without the interposition of relatively costly pivot means or hearing structures and with one part of the clamp arrangement serving as the actuating means for the relay contactor.

A still further object oi my invention is to provide a simplified construction of electromagnetic relay in which the movable armature directly operates the contactor system of the relay without the interposition of extension arms, links or other auxiliary connection members.

Still another object of my invention is to pro vicle an improved construction of electromagnetic relay in which the movable armature member carries a displaceaole insulator which is arranged to-directly operate yieldacle leaf spring members for opening or closing associated contactors.

Still another object or" my invention is to provide an improved multiple leaf spring contact assemb y for electromagnetic relays including mechanical guard means for protecting the leaf spring against injury.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of armature assembly and coacting multiple leaf spring ccntactor assembly for electromagnetic relays in which a portion of the armature assembly is longitudinally slotted and extends through the multiple leaf spring contact support of the relay system.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction of electromagnetic relay as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter iollowing by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the electromagnetic relay of myinvention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the relay shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of the relay looking in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an end view of the relay looking in the direction of arrow B in Fig.

2; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the relay with the armature maintained in deenergized position and showing the springpile-up assembly in deactivated position, the view being taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. '1 and illustrating certain of the parts inside elevation; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 6-5 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line I-! of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through the relay, the view being similar to the view shown in Fig. 5 but illustratin the spring pile-up assembly and the armature in activated position; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the magnetic frame of the relay; Fig. Ill is a perspective view of the magnetic armature or the relay; Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the actuator for the sprin pile-up assembly employed in the relay structure and 12 is aperspective view of the insulator which is carried by the actuator oiFig. 11.

Referring to the drawings in detail reference character i designates the magnetic frame of the relay having a longitudinally extending supporting portion a? terminating in a bifurcated end portion 3. The bifurcated end portion includes a pair of outwardly extendin tongues c and 5 which are canted upwardly with a suficiently angular inclination to provide a confining support for the movable magnetic armature The mom able magnetic armature i3 is tapered in contour iron: a relatively wide end portion 3a to a relatively narrow opposite end portion to sulesten tially conforming with the circular section oi the magnetic core l which is secured to the frame i of the relay by means of screw 3 which passes through aperture 9 in the frame 3 and enters the end of magnetic core l for firmly securing magnetic core '5 in magnetically coupled relation to the frame i of the relay.

I provide a spacer member m of insulation material which is apertured to extend over the end of magnetic core 1 and electrically separate the flanged end of the coil support ii from the metallic frame I of the relay.

The coil support i i is constructed from insulation material and includes the opposite flange I: of insulation material which is interconnected with flange ii through sleeve ll of insulation snaterlal. The coil support ii-i2--H carries the electromagnetic winding ie which may be protected by insulation varnish and covered with cellulose acetate tape and treated with cellulose acetate to provide a substantially sealed-in insulated electromagnetic winding for the relay.

The flanged end l2 of the coil support intimately contacts with the end panel l6 ofinsulation material. The end panell6 forms a terminal support for the terminal lugs lia and lib which connect to opposite ends of the electromagnetic winding I! for providing convenient electrical terminals for opposite ends of the coil winding. The end panel I6 is bifurcated at the end l6a thereof providing a pair of spaced supporting feet by which the panel i6 may be secured to the frame 2 of the relay.

An actuating member which compositely serves to mount the armature 6 and to operate the spring pile-up assembly is provided as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 11 at II. The actuating member i1 is provided with a central longitudinally extending slot i6 thereiri and a transverse slot is therein adjacent the endof the actuator. The other end of the actuator terminates in an angularly inclined head provided with tapered edge portions 20a and 26b abruptly terminating in the end 26c. The angularly inclined head 20 is provided with an aperture 20d therein adapted to accurately register with the screw-threaded aperture 60 in armature 6 in such manner that when armature 6 is suspended with the oppositely extendin lug-like projections 6d and 6e thereof rockably mounted with the plane edge faces thereof supported in intimate contact with the inclined projections 4 and 6 on frame 2, it is very simple to clamp the armature 6 in proper position by projecting the actuating member l1 through the centrally recessedend 6/ of armature 6 and sliding the assembly toward the frame 2 whereupon the opposite projecting edges 26c and 26/ of the inclined end 20 of actuating member i1 enter beneath the projections 4 and 6 on frame 2 while lugs 6d and 6e of armature 6 enter recess 3 above projections 4 and 6. In this position screw 2| may be passed through aperture 26d in inclined face 26 and screwed into screw-threaded recess 60 in armature 6 thereby clamping the rockable armature in position with respect to the end of the'relay frame 2.

In order to maintain the actuating member i1 in predetermined relation with respect to the magnetic gap between armature 6 and magnetic core 1, I insert in the transverse slot I! the T- shaped insulator 22 shown more clearly in- Fig. 12. The insulator 22 has a downwardly extending portion 22a which fills the transverse slot it in actuator I1 and projects beyond the under surface of actuator l1 and fits within the aperture 26 of the frame 2; To facilitate insertion of insulator 22 in actuator l1 an aperture 22b is provided in insulator 22 which enables the insulator 22 to be mounted by means of a pointed tool in position in the end of the actuator H. The insulator 22 terminates in a transversely extending insulated bar portion 220 which serves as an insulated ledge for efiectively lifting or displacing the row of leaf spring members represented at 24, 26 and 26 or multiple .leaf spring assembly associated therewith. The leaf springs 24, 26 and 26 and the coacting leaf springs 21, 2-6 and 26 are mounted in superimposed predetermined spacial relation by means of the transversely extending stack of insulation strips shown at 66, II and 32. The transversely extending insulated strips 36, 3| and 32 are each shaped to insure maximum dielectric insulation between each of the leaf springs. The transversely extending insulated strip 36 is recessed at 36a and 66b for the passage of the actuator i1 therethrough. The strip has a centrally depending portion Me which projects through the iongitudinally extending slot l6 and provides a rigid supporting means for the spring pile-up assembly through securing screws 83, 64 and 35. The securing screws 63. .34 and 35 pass through the uard plate 66 and through the stacked insulaguard 26. The guard 66 is longitudinally slottedv as represented at 66a and 36b to lighten the relay construction.

The coacting leaf springs 24, 25 and 26 and 21, 2t and 26 each carry aligned contacts on the adjacent ends thereof which are adapted to be displaced with respect to each other by operation of the actuator i1 under control of the displaceable armature 6. The armature 6 carries a nonmagnetic plug 6g in the center thereof for preventing freezing of the armature upon the magnetic core I and insuring quick operation of the relay.

The relay armature 6 is normally spring tensloned to the deactivated position illustrated in Fig. 5 by the spring tension exerted by leaf springs 24, 26 and 26 against insulator 22. When, however, winding ii of the relay is energized the magnetic armature 6 is moved to activated position as illustrated in Fig. 8 whereby insulator 22 shifts leaf springs 24, 26 and 26 into position in which the contacts carried thereby establish electrical connection with the contacts carried by leaf springs 21, 28 and 26. The leaf springs are provided with connecting lugs which are specially separated from each other as represented more clearly in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8 and which project beyond the insulator strips 36, ti and 62 to provide terminal connections for each of the leaf springs.

The fact that the armature is mounted with respect to the relay frame by a simple clamping arrangement whereby the actuator l1 and armature 6 are coupled together on opposite sides of the projections ,4-6 of the relay frame greatly simplifies the relay construction. decreases assembly costs and serves to insure reliable operation even under conditions of very substantial shock vibration. The relay may be readily mounted with respect to any suitable chassis by attachment screws passed through apertures 21 in frame I of the relay.

While I have described my invention in one of its preferred embodiments I realize that modiflcations in details of construction may be made and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In an electric relay, a frame structure comprising an angle member of magnetic material, a magnetic core secured to said angle member and extending to a position substantially coincident with one end of said angle member. an operating winding carried by said core. the last mentioned end of said angle member being bifurcated and terminating in a pair of angularly inclined tongueaan armature havin a pair oi oppositely directed lugs, means for rockably connning said armature with respect to said frame structure comprising a memberextending substantially the length of said frame structure and terminating in a pair of oppositely projecting edges and means interconnecting said armature and'said member for clamping the oppositely projecting edges on said member and the lugs on said armature on opposite sides of said individually inclined tongues ior rockable movement with respect thereto.

2. An electric relay comprising a frame structure consisting of an angle member terminating in a pair of angularly projecting tongues, a magnetic core supported by said angle member and terminating in a position substantially adjacent said tongues, an operating winding carried by said core, an armature including a pair of oppositely directed lugs, an actuating member terminating in a pair of oppositely extending edge portions and means interconnecting said actuating member and said armature for clamping the lugs on said armature and the oppositely extending edges or said member on the opposite sides of said angularly inclined tongues.

3. An electric relay comprising an angle member of magnetic material having relatively short and long side portions, a magnetic core carried by said relatively short portion and extending to a position substantially coincident with'the end of the relatively long portion of said angle member, said relatively long portion terminating in tongues angularly inclined in a direction extending away from the axis of said core, an operating winding carried by said core, an armature having a pair of oppositely directed lugs thereon,

' an actuating member having a pair of oppositely extending edge portions thereon and means interconnecting said armature member and said actuating member for clamping the lugs on said armature and the edge portions on said actuating member on opposite sides of said tongues for rockably mounting said armature with respect to said magnetic core.

4. An electric relay comprising an angle member of magnetic material, a magnetic-core car ried by one side of said angle member and extending to a position substantially coincident with the end of the other side of said angle member, an operating winding associated with said magnetic core, the last mentioned side of said angle member terminating in a pair of angularly disposed spaced tongues, an armature having a pair of oppositely directed lugs rockably supported on said tongues in a position adjacent the end of said magnetic core .and an actuating member having an actuating portion extending substantially the length of the last mentioned side of said angle member and terminating in a head portion disposed in a plane extending substantially at an obtuse angle to the actuating portion thereof, the head portion of said actuating member having a pair of oppositely directed edge portions, and means couplingthe head portion of said actuating member and said armature for clamping the oppositely extending lugs of said armature and the oppositely directed edge portions of said head portion on opposite sides of said angularly inclined tongues whereby said armature is maintained at an obtuse angle to the axis of said core when the actuating portion of said actuating member is moved tocontacting relation with said angle member and whereby said armature is moved to a position substantially parallel with the end of said core when the actuating portion or said actuating member is displaced away from said angle member.

5. An electric relay comprising an angle mem- I magnetic core. anactuating member having an actuating portion extending substantially the length of the last mentioned side of said angle member and terminating in a head portion disposed in a plane extending substantially at an obtuse angle to the actuating portion thereof. the head portion of said actuating member having a pair of oppositely directed edge portions, means coupling the head portion of said actuating member and said armature for clamping the oppositely extending lugs of said armature and the op positely directed edge portions of said head portion on opposite sides of said anguiarly inclined tongues whereby said armature is maintained at an obtuse angle to the axis oi said core when the actuating portion 01' said actuating member is moved to contacting relation with said angle member and whereby said armature is moved to a position substantially parallel with the end of said core when the actuating portion of said actuating member is displaced away from said angle member and spring means tending to continuously displace said armature in a plane at an obtuse angle to the axis of said core.

6. An electric relay comprising an angle member of magnetic material, a magnetic core carried by one side of said angle member and extending to a position substantially coincident with the end of the other side of said angle member, an operating winding associated'with' said magnetic core, the last mentioned side of said angle member terminating in a. pair of angularly disposed spaced tongues, an armature having a pair of oppositely directed lugs rockably supported on said tongues in a position adjacent the end of said magnetic core, an actuating member having an actuating portion extending substantially the length of the last mentioned side of said angle member and terminating in a head portion disposed in a plane extending substantially at an obtuse angle to the actuating portion thereof, the head portion of said actuating member having a pair of oppositely directed edge portions, means coupling the head portion of said actuating member and said armature for clamping the oppositely extending lugs of said armature and the oppositely directed edge portions of said head portion on opposite sides of said angularly inclined tongues whereby said armature is maintained at an obtuse angle to the axis of said core when the actuating portion oi said actuating member is moved to contacting relation with said angle member and whereby said armature is moved to a position substantially parallel with the end of said core when the actuating portion of said actuating member is displaced away fromsaid angle member, a spring pile-up assembly carried by said angle member and an insulator supported by the actuating portion of said actuating member for operatingsaid spring pile-up assembly when said armature is displaced to an activated position.

' r assaos 'i. An electric relay com ing an angle member of magnetic material, a magnetic core carried by one side of said angle member and extending to a position substantially coincident with the end or the other side of said angle member, an operating winding associated with said magnetic core, the last mentioned side of said angle member terminating in a pair of angularly disposed spaced tongues, an armature having a pair of oppositely directed lugs rockably supported on said tongues in a position adiacent the end of said magnetic core, an actuating member having an actuating portion extending substantially the length of the lestmmentioned side of said angle member and terminating in a head portion disposed in a plane extending substantially at an obtuse angle to the actuating portion thereof, the head portion of said actuating memher having a pair of oppositely directed edge portions, means coupling the head portion of said actuating member and said armature for clamping the oppositely extending lugs of said armature and the oppositely directed edge portions of said head portion on opposite sides of said angularly inclined tongues whereby said armature is maintained at an obtuse angle to the axis of said core when the actuating portion of said actuating member is moved to contacting relation with said angle member and whereby said armature is moved to a position substantially parallel with the end of said core when the actuating portion oi said actuating member is displaced away from said angle member, an insulated support carried by said angle member and bridging the actuating portion of said actuating member. a spring pile-up assembly mounted on said insulated support and an insulator carried by the actuating portion of said actuating member and operative to transmit operating pressure from said actuating member to said spring pile-up assembly.

8. An electricrelay comprising an angle member of magnetic material, a magnetic core carried by one side of said angle member and extending to a position substantially coincident with the end of the other side of said angle member, an operating winding associated with said magnetic core, the last mentioned side of said angle member terminating in a pair of angularly disposed spaced tongues, an armature having a pair of oppositely directed lugs rockably supported on said tongues in a position ad- Jacent the end of said magnetic core, an actuating member having an actuating portion extend- 'ing substantially the length of the last menportion thereof, the head portion of said actuating member havirig a pair of oppositely directed edge portions, means coupling the head portion of said actuating member and said armature for clamping the oppositely extending lugs of said armature and the oppositely directed edge portions of said head portion on opposite sides of said angularly inclined tongues whereby said armature is maintained at an obtuse angle to the axis of said core when the actuating portion of said actuating member is moved to contacting reiation with said angle member and'whereby said armature is moved to a position substantially parallel with the end of said core when the actuating portion of said actuating member is displaced away from said angle member, an insulated support carried by said angle member and bridging the actuating portion of said actuating member, a spring pile-up assembly mounted on said insulated support and a T-shaped insulator carried by the actuating portion of said actuating member and extending toward said spring pileup assembly and serving as an actuating abutment therefor, said angle member being recessed in alignment with said T-shaped insulator for allowing said T-shaped insulator to extend therethrough.

, 9. An electric relay comprising a frame struchire, a magnetic core carried by said frame structure, an operating winding associated with said magnetic core, an actuating member extending substantially the length of said frame structure, an armature carried by said actuating member and aligned with said magnetic core, a spring pile-up assembly supported by said frame structure and an insulator carried by said actuating member and forming a coupling abutment between said actuating member and said spring pile-up assembly, said insulator being substantially T-shaped in section with the central portion thereof projecting through said actuatin member and apertured to facilitate the insertion thereof into said actuatlngmemb er and operative to present an elongated pressure transmitting edge portion for operating said spring pileupassembly in accordance with the displacement of said armature. i

OSBORNE 1. PRICE. 

